Method of and apparatus for diagnostic analysis



w. SMITH 2,008,295 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS July 16, 1935.

Filed Dec. 7, 1935 l l j FIIIL INVENTOR WILLIAM 5M 1TH ATTOZEEY Patented July 16, 1935 2,008,295

UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

ME'rnoi) OF AND APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS William Smith, Yonkers, N. Y.

Application December 7, 1933, Serial No. 701,324 2Claims. (01.174-17'7) This invention relates to a new and useful other milliammeter it, both of said milli-ammethod of and apparatus for measuring the remeters being of ordinary construction and capable sistance of the human body to a current of elecof measuring electric current and being mounted tricity. on the front of the panel of the casing. An object ofthe invention is to locate abnor- The milli-ammeter I3 is connected to one side 5 mal conditions in the body. of the secondary winding of a step-down trans Another object isto provide an apparatus emformer IS, the primary winding of which is conbodying a plurality of electrodes adapted to connected to a source of electrical supply, indicated tact spaced areas upon the surface of the body at I6, such as the house supply of 110 volts.

with means for measuring the resistance offered A switch I1 is placed in the main or house 10 by the contacted areas to a flow of electric cursupply line to control the same, and a rheostat I8 rent, whereby the observer may locate local may be placed in the secondary supply line to difierences in such resistance. control the voltage as will be understood.

In carrying out my invention, I take into con- A pilot lamp l9 may also be placed in the sideration the fact that the human body is a secondary circuit to indicate that the apparatus 15 conductor of electrical current and that healthy is properly functioning and to prevent surging.

muscles and nerves ofier a resistance to a flow Connected to the opposite side of the secondary .of electric current different from that of unwinding of the transformer I5 is a flexible conhealthy muscles and nerves. ductor and connected to the other side is a 20 I also take into consideration the fact that the conductor or line 2| to which the variable resist- 20 body on both sides of the median line, i. e. an imagance or rheostat I8 is connected. This conductor inary line drawn through the middle of the body 2| leads to the milli-ammeters l3 and I4. Refrom the top of the head to the middle of the movably attached to the conductor 20 is a metal floor between the feet, when the body is in sohand piece 22. Leading from the milli-ammeter called anatomical position, is substantially struc- I3 is a conductor 23 and leading from the milli- 25 turall'y alike, and that the muscular system and ammeter I4 is a conductor 24. Attached to the nervous system on both sides of said median line conductors 23 and 24 are applicators 25. are substantially the same. The form oi. applicator shown in Figures 3 I provide a portable apparatus for passing a and 5 comprises an elongated metal spindle 26 3o voltage of electricity through the human body having a rounded knob 21 at one end and a reand comparing the current as it comes out of the movable screw nut 28 at the other end for rebody at separated areas on opposite sides of the movably attaching the conductors. Ahand piece median line to determine what resistance is of- 29 formed of insulating material encloses the fered by the tissue at said areas. greater part of the spindle 26. l In the drawing, Figure 1 is a front elevation The form of applicator shown in Figure 6 35 of the improved apparatus. comprises a metal tubular member or casing 30 I Figure 2 is a side view of the same. having an open top and an angled foot portion 3|,

Figure 3 is a diagram of the wiring arrangethe foot portion of one of the applicators being ment. solid and slotted and the other being formed with Figure 4 is a front view partly in section of the a slotted socket portion to receive the solid por- 40 hand contact used with my improved device. tion of the other. An insulating sleeve 32 is Figure 5 is a front view partly in section of mounted in the open end of each applicator, said oneiorm of applicator used with my device. sleeve having a shoulder 33 adapted toseat on Figure 6 is a front view of a pair of applicathe edge of the open top. A metal contact 34 is tors of another form, one of the applicators being positioned in and extends out from the end of the 45 shown in section. insulating sleeve. The conductors 23 and 24 are Figure 1s a sectional view taken on the line fastened to the metal contacts 34 by screws 35 l--l of E gure 6. or by any suitable means, and they enter the Referring to the various views of the drawing, casing 30 through openings 36. A set screw 31,:

, my improved apparatus may be mounted in a extending through the slots in the socket portion 50 portable casing lll which is provided with a of one applicator and into the slot in the solid hinge cover II and handle l2 for convenience in portion of the other applicator, holds the applicarrylng. cators in adjustedposition.

On one side of the casing is a microampmeter The operation is as follows: the switch I1 is or milli-ammeter l3 and on the other side is anclosed and the rheostat l8, adjusted to regulate 55 the flow of current desired. The patient is given member 22 to hold in his hand. The operator then takes the two applicators, for instance the applicators 25 shown in Figures 3 and 5, and with one of them (say the one connected to milliammeter l3) touches a muscle or motor nerve of the body on one side of the median line, for example, the right forearm. With the other applicator (say the one connected to milli-ammeter l4) he with a uniform pressure simultaneously touches a similar muscle or motor nerve on the opposite side of the median line, that is, the left forearm. Immediately upon touching the body With these applicators, two circuits are completed as follows: main line l6, transformer I5, conductor 20, hand piece 22, the body of the patient, spindle 26, conductor 23, milli-ammeter l3, conductor 2] to transformer, comprising the circuit through milli-ammeter l3; main line l6, transformer 15, conductor 20, hand piece 22, body of patient, spindle 26, conductor 24, milli-ammeter l4, conductor 2| to transformer, comprising the circuit through milli-ammeter l4.

Both separated areas of the body touched by the applicators, the right and left forearms, being constructed substantially alike and being covered by the same construction and arrangement of fleshy tissue, the resistance to the liow of current passing through each area should be the same and therefore the resistance recorded on milli-ammeters l3 and 14 should be the same. If however, either of the areas touched, either the right or left forearm, is diseased or inflammed or the tissue structure is abnormal for one reason or another, such diseased area will offer a lesser resistance to the flow of electricity therethrough and such lesser resistance will be recorded on the particular milli-ammeter connected to the circuit in which said area is located. For instance, in the example give above, if the forearm is diseased at the area touched the lesser resistance offered thereby will be indicated on milli-ammeter l3; and if the left forearm is diseased milli-ammeter M will show it.

By reason of this method, a positive way of detecting diseased areas of the body and thus localizing trouble is afforded. This detection is accomplished instantly by a mere glance at the milli-ammeters and requires no skill nor complicated technique.

The applicators shown in Figure 6 are of particular value in diagnosing the condition of the spinal column nerves. The applicators are adjusted to and from each other and can be made to fit the particular size of spine under observation and due to their slanting position they readily adapt themselvesto rest on the spinal column so that the resistance offered by both sides of the spine may be readily detected.

The microampmeters or milli-ammeters l3 and I4 may of course be calibrated in micro-amperes or milli-amperes as may be desired.

It will be understood that changes might be made in details without departing from the principle of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for locating abnormal conditions along the spinalcolumn, in combination with a source of electric motive power, a step down transformer connected to said source, a hand contact flexibly connected to one side of said't-ransformer, a pair of milli-ammeters connected to the other side of said transformer, a rheostat in said latter connection, a. rigid applicator flexibly connected to each of said milliammeters, a rigid connection between said applicators and means for adjusting the length of said connection, said applicators being positioned in inclined relation towards each other to conform to the structure of the spine.

2. In an electrical apparatus for measuring the resistance of the human body, a pair of rigid body applicators rigidly connected together, each applicator comprising a tubular member having an open end, a solid angular portion at the other end having a slot therein, an insulating sleeve in the open end of the tubular member, a metal contact member for connection to a conductor in said sleeve and a screw for insertion in the slots, said tubular members being inclined towards each other.

WILLIAM SMITH. 

